Battery Notification-Controlled Polling in Sleep-State Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The periodic activation of the embedded controller or CPU for battery polling in a sleep state increases power consumption in computers.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus that switches between operating and sleep states, utilizing a notification signal from the battery to control polling execution, reducing power consumption by adjusting polling intervals based on battery state and external power availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the embedded controller or CPU periodically activates to execute battery polling in sleep state, then the battery state can be monitored, but power consumption in sleep state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements event-driven periodic polling where the controller activates only when the battery emits a notification signal indicating state changes. This transforms continuous periodic polling into conditional periodic action, reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery itself generates notification signals when its state changes (e.g., when remaining amount decreases by a reference amount or when entering abnormal states). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the controller to continuously query the battery, allowing the controller to remain in low-power state longer.
2Loss of information
If the controller continuously executes battery polling in sleep state, then accurate battery state information can be obtained, but the controller cannot remain in low-power state
Solution Approach 1:
The battery provides feedback through notification signals when its state changes. The controller uses this feedback to determine when to activate and poll the battery, creating a feedback-based information acquisition system that minimizes controller activation while ensuring timely information updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery prepares notification signals in advance based on predetermined conditions (remaining amount thresholds, abnormal state detection). This preliminary action by the battery allows the controller to sleep without worrying about missing critical state changes, as the battery will signal when conditions are met.
3Speed
If the controller activates frequently for battery polling, then battery state changes can be detected timely, but sleep state duration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The polling frequency dynamically adjusts based on battery state. When the battery is in normal state with sufficient remaining amount, polling frequency decreases extending sleep duration. When the battery enters abnormal states or low remaining amount states, polling frequency increases to improve response speed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between response speed and sleep duration.
Data Source
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AI summary
To reduce power consumption in a sleep state, an electronic apparatus that switches between an operating state and a sleep state includes a controller that executes polling to periodically check a state of a battery when the electronic apparatus is in the operating state, and controls execution of the polling based on a notification signal output from the battery when the electronic apparatus is in the sleep state.